For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey: Having a blast

Friday, January 8, 2010

Having a blast

This picture was taken in the late winter, early spring of 1982. Several times the Saunders would gather for a great weekend of fun when Grandma and Grandpa returned from California. Even though Travis has his eyes closed this is a great picture of everyone. At family gatherings Gail often would leave this kind of fun to others as she tirelessly would work in the background getting food or just serving others. Because of her servant's heart it was so easy to forget how much she loved to play, goof around and just have a lot of fun. I have to believe that God, in his wisdom,blessed Gail with much fun as she serviced others. She was always doing something for others.
As I was doing things around the house yesterday I sat down for a short time and suddenly it dawned on me that I had done NOTHING to get ready for leaving today. No gift, no packing, no clothes washing, no card and you name it no nothing. I realized that I had better get on the ball as there is no GAIL to share the "getting ready" as we always did certain things in getting ready to go. So this morning I had better get on the ball and do things. Actually the only thing I am a bit concerned about is that I have a shirt! I better check as if I don't that is not good. To wash it, iron it in this time I may be over matched. I HOPE.
Mike, Faustina, Jude and Jerry W came over to watch some of the football last night. Parts of the game were OK but Texas was a bit over matched without their star player.
I got a hair cut yesterday as my neck was beginning to look like a wheat field that started to grow. The older lady who cut my hair said in 07 she lost her husband on Christmas Day. She said it has been so difficult around Christmas now. I told her I would pray for her as that would be so hard.
No, I had better see what I need to do in the next couple of hours. I need to be on the road by noon. I will return sometime on Sunday. Gail is wondering what she did wrong. Weddings were not my favorite thing to go to and here it is the second wedding I am going to since she died. Not only that but to travel 400 miles to this one I am sure Gail is shaking her head---If they do that in heaven. Maybe she has no questions but she is just so glad that I have changed!!!!
Have a great weekend and stay warm

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The first reading at Gail's funeral September 18, 2009

I know of no one who fit this better than Gail

Proverbs 31: 10-31
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm.
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously:
her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her;
Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Well done good and faithful servant, your praise is much and your reward is to be with God forever.

Our Story

Our story begin in 1951, when Carmen was 4 and Gail was 5! We met as our parents were at a camera club. Fast forward--Carmen begin to attend grade school in town in 1957, the same school that Gail went to. Fast forward--We had our first date in the winter of 1964 in Gail's senior year of high school. Again--we were married June 1st of 1968. We moved to St. Paul in October of 1977 and lived at 2094 Niles Ave until Gail's death September 14 of 2009.
Gail first breast cancer was found in October of 2003. After surgery, chemo, radiation and infusions for a year she felt well and we lived life in our normal mode. Carmen retired in June of 2007 and shortly after that we quit doing the paper route as well. In the fall of 2007 we went on our dream vacation. We camped for 7 weeks in Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia and in the New England states. Sleeping in our truck and eating over an open fire we felt that we had experienced heaven. Then in January of 2008 we spent 3 weeks in Hawaii with friends and again had so much fun. In the fall of 2008 we did much work on the outside of the house and we were so excited to enter 2009 with big plans and dreams. In January Gail was diagnosed with new cancer. For the next 7 1/2 months we prayed, changed our life style, laughed and cried often. As the end of Gail's life drew near she was peaceful and family cared for her at home until she met Jesus. It was a journey that was wonderful, exciting, blessed, full of life and full of love but of course it was too short. Gail is so missed but I know she is in a better place so my journey must continue on without my true love.
I enter a new decade as the "I" that I never wanted to be but I have hope. Hope of things not experienced and hope that life will again, in 2010, become something that I look forward to each morning. My hope is based on our Lord who gives all, who is all and who gives love to all who believe. I enter this new decade with so many questions and so few answers but with faith that all will be well.

For Carmen--A new beginning--A new journey

Friday, January 8, 2010

Having a blast

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The first reading at Gail's funeral September 18, 2009

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